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MIAMI RIVER COMMISSION 
c/o Rosenstiel School
4600 Rickenbacker Cswy,
Miami, Fl. 33149
305-421-4850
Fax: 305-421-4755
  e-mail: mrc@rsmas.miami.ed

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The Miami River Commission ’s Executive Committee was called to order by Chairperson Irela Bagué, Wednesday, February 23, 2005 , 8:00 a.m. , at the Green Streets Café, 3468 Main Highway , Coconut Grove , FL

I.  Set Agenda for MRC’s February 7, 2005 Meeting at Noon, Robert King High, 1401 NW 7^th Street .

.Brett Bibeau, MRC Managing Director, stated “Coastal on the River”, a proposed residential development found by the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group (UIWG) on January 12, 2005 to be inconsistent with both the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan and the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, will be presented to the Miami River Commission on Monday, March 7, 2005, Robert King High, 1401 NW 7 ST

Mr. Bibeau informed the Executive Committee that the City of Miami hired Kimley Horn & Associates to draft a “Miami River Greenway Design Standards and Guidelines” ordinance for adoption by the City Commission. The draft ordinance, stated Bibeau, would hopefully include the principles of the Miami River Greenway Action Plan, which the City Commission unanimously adopted in principle by resolution in 2001. Mr. Bibeau noted that the MRC Greenway Subcommittee would receive a copy of the draft ordinance during a special Greenways subcommittee meeting on Thursday, February 24, 2005 , 10 am , UM Rosenstiel School , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway.  Bibeau stated that copies of the draft ordinance would be included within the Friday, February 25, 2005 MRC mail-out, and would be presented at the MRC’s February 7, 2005 meeting.  Mr. Bibeau noted that the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group advised the MRC to consider recommending the ordinance extend the City of Miami ’s existing 50 foot building setback from the river’s shoreline, for all new residential and retail developments to the west of the 5^th Street Bridge, excluding marine industrial businesses.  Bibeau noted the extended setback requirement to the east of the NW 5 ST bridge would include the current formula for properties less than 200 feet wide, where the setback would become 25% of the properties width.

The Executive Committee inquired as to the status of the two deferred proposed amendments to the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan’s “2^nd Annual Update”.  Bibeau stated the MRC’s Urban Infill Working Group had discussed and refined the deferred proposed amendments during their February meeting, and wanted to further review the deferred amendments with their proposer, MRC member Dr. Ernie Martin.

Chairperson Bagué noted that the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) had received the draft Hazen & Sawyer Economic Analysis of Biscayne Bay, which includes significant economic analysis of the Miami River .  The SFWMD will conduct a technical review of the report on Tuesday, March 8, from 9 am to 1 pm , 999 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Bagué noted that Mr. Otto Boudet-Murias, City of Miami , has been invited and has expressed interest in the City of Miami using this economic data.

Dr. Fran Bohnsack, Miami River Marine Group, stated she provided MRC staff with a copy of the City of Miami ’s draft “Miami River Market Study & Economic Impact Analysis”.  Bibeau stated he read the City of Miami ’s draft study, and found it to be consistent with the Miami River Corridor Urban Infill Plan. As in the Infill Plan, the City’s study divides the “best” uses along the River into three geographic areas, high-density mixed-use developments within the “lower river” (Biscayne Bay to the NW 5 ST Bridge), the Civic Center, mid-low density historical neighborhoods and some marine industrial businesses in the “middle river” (NW 5 ST bridge to the NW 22 Ave Bridge), preserving and investing in the valuable marine industry within the “upper river” (NW 22 Ave Bridge to the salinity dam). The City of Miami ’s draft “Miami River Market Study & Economic Impact Analysis” concluded there is not a sufficient residential market nor infrastructure for Major Use Special Permit size developments to the west of the Civic Center area. Dr. Bohnsack remarked she had passed the study along to two independent economists from the Urban Land Institute for their review.  Dr. Bohnsack stated she has submitted a public records request to the City of Miami for their draft study’s additional 1,200 page “Master Reference Document”, containing eight studies conducted by the consultants, including market, economic and financial analysis that provides the foundation for the final report, as noted in the draft final report’s preface.  The MRC Executive Committee agreed to receive and review the additional draft 1,200 page City of Miami’s “Miami River Market Study & Economic Impact Analysis – Master Reference Document” before taking any further action.

Chairperson Bagué recommended the MRC and the SFWMD embark on a Public Relations (PR) campaign to increase awareness and foster support for the Miami River Corridor. The campaign, she noted, could be launched on Riverday and would focus on a central theme: “It’s my Miami River” to be said by a wide variety of individuals and languages, including but not limited to developers, the marine industry, residents, elected officials, etc. Ms. Bagué said the SFWMD’s in-house team of graphic artists and videograpahers may assist in developing the PR campaign.

The Executive Committee discussed the concept of having a “Miami River International Trade Summit” and inviting foreign ambassadors and clients to raise consciousness concerning foreign trade along the Miami River .

II. Discuss Proposed MRC Retreat- Chairperson Bagué noted she would speak to Ms. Janice Fleischer, regarding the framework and goals for the proposed MRC retreat.

III. New Business- Mr. Bibeau thanked the MRC for authorizing his trip to Washington, DC, where he met with Senator Mel Martinez (and staff), Senator Bill Nelson, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (and staff), and the Army Corps of Engineers in support of Miami-Dade County’s $17.7 million appropriation request for federal fiscal year 2006 Miami River maintenance dredging funding. Mr. Bibeau explained the County’s $17.7 million request is based on the funding necessary to maintain the dredging contractor’s work schedule, and therefore avoid a temporary demobilization.  Bibeau stated on behalf of the MRC he advocated for the Army Corps to continue refunding the previously appropriated Miami River maintenance dredging federal funding, and finalize their favorable draft June 2004 economic analysis.  Bibeau reminded the Executive Committee that a final Army Corps Economic Analysis is required for them to include the Miami River maintenance dredging project in budget requests, therefore obtaining a $17.7 million congressional ad without the Corps requesting funding for the project in their FY ’06 budget, will be difficult.  Bibeau recommended MRC members write Senator Martinez noting the importance and their support for the Miami River maintenance dredging project.  Mr. Bibeau distributed copies of Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s letter, dated February 2, 2005 , to General Strock, requesting the finalization of their draft 2004 supplemental economic analysis, and noted that Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is considering sending another letter to General Strock regarding the unacceptable delays to their economic analysis.  Chairperson Bagué stated she would be in Washington DC March 1-3, and offered to take time to meet with appropriate officials regarding the Miami River maintenance dredging project.

Mr. Richard Bunnell provided a Miami River maintenance dredging project update, noting that the dredging contractors, Weston & Bean, have decided to change subcontractors in order to increase productivity by 100%. Bunnell stated switching the subcontractor’s sediment processing equipment would take until May or early June 2005. The Executive Committee directed staff to invite the dredging contractors to the MRC’s March 7, 2005 meeting to explain this matter and answer any questions.

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